Technical Lead

CGIAR; Ajman; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international research organization in Ajman is seeking a Technical Lead with a PhD in Entomology and over 10 years of experience in RPW management. The role involves providing technical oversight, managing Workstream Leads, and ensuring alignment with program goals. Strong leadership and communication skills in English and Arabic are essential. The successful candidate will benefit from a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical insurance and annual leave.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Medical insurance

30 days of annual leave

Maternity and paternity leave

Qualifications

• PhD in Entomology, Integrated Pest Management, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in RPW and date palm pest management.
• Experience in GCC countries is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical oversight for all Workstream Leads.
• Ensure workstream objectives align with the program strategy.
• Monitor compliance with program regulations and donor requirements.

Skills

Strong knowledge of RPW biology

Leadership in multi-stakeholder projects

Excellent communication skills in English and Arabic

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving ability

Education

PhD in Entomology

Tools

Remote sensing

GIS

Digital tools for pest control

Job description

Overview

Reports to: Program Manager – C4RPWC as direct supervisor, and Program Director for technical matters.
Location: Ajman, UAE

Purpose of the position

The Technical Lead serves as the scientific and operational focal point for all technical workstreams of the C4RPWC program and links the research components to the overall Consortium and Program Coordination. This role ensures cross-workstream integration, scientific rigor, and alignment with the program’s strategic goals. The Technical Lead directly manages Workstream Leads and Co-leads, ensuring coordinated delivery of outputs, technical quality, and alignment with the overall program workplan. In addition to serving as the overall Technical Lead, the incumbent will also serve as Lead of Workstream 5, Lead of Work Package 3 within Workstream 5, Co-lead of Workstream 4, and Co-lead of Workstream 1. These roles involve direct responsibility for scientific leadership, coordination, and delivery of thematic outputs within each respective workstream.

About ICARDA

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by CGIAR.
ICARDA’s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as environmental health in the face of global challenges including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development and capacity development that take into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organization, other CGIAR Research Centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. For more information:

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Management

• Provide direct technical oversight and performance management of all Workstream Leads and Co-leads.
• Ensure workstream objectives, deliverables, and milestones are aligned with the overall program strategy.
• Facilitate cross-workstream collaboration, integration, and synergy.
• Chair Consortium Management Team meetings jointly with the Program Manager.

Scientific Coordination & Governance

• Represent the program as Observer on the Technical Steering Committee (TSC).
• Consolidate and present cross-workstream scientific insights, questions, and recommendations.
• Validate methodologies, data collection protocols, and analysis frameworks.
• Ensure scientific outputs meet quality standards and are peer-reviewed prior to submission.

Management of Workstream Leads & Co-leads

• Provide strategic and technical guidance to Workstream Leads and Co-leads.
• Review and approve workstream-level technical and financial plans.
• Ensure coordination of intra- and inter-workstream meetings and reporting.
• Monitor compliance with program regulations, IP protocols, and donor requirements.
• Support workstream leads in stakeholder engagement, training, and dissemination activities.
• Ensure continuity of leadership and substitute representation in governance bodies when needed.

Workstream-Specific Leadership

• Lead the design, implementation, and reporting of Workstream 5 activities, including Work Package 3.
• Provide scientific and technical leadership for Workstream 5, ensuring integration with other workstreams.
• As the technical lead, support the Workstream leads in planning, stakeholder engagement, and technical delivery.
• Represent Workstreams 5 in consortium meetings and contribute to cross-workstream synthesis.

Workplan & Delivery Oversight

• Co-develop and monitor Gantt-based workplans, procurement schedules, and reporting cycles.
• Troubleshoot technical delivery issues across workstreams and partners.
• Track progress and ensure timely implementation of technical activities.

Communication & Knowledge Translation

• Collaborate with ICARDA’s Communications Team to translate technical findings into briefs, infographics, and presentations.
• Ensure scientific outputs are accessible to policy and decision-making audiences.
• Support development of strategic narratives and outreach materials.

Stakeholder Engagement & Policy Support

• Facilitate technical-policy dialogues with national counterparts in UAE, Egypt, Morocco, and other Low- and Medium-Income Countries (LIMC).
• Lead field-level demonstrations and regulatory engagement to support uptake pathways.
• Support alignment with MOCCAE, ADAFSA, other UAE-based institutions, and LIMC-based institutions.

Capacity Building & Innovation Scaling

• Lead capacity development activities across workstreams.
• Support the design and implementation of Farmer Field Schools and training modules.
• Promote adaptive experimentation and field validation.

Resource Mobilization

• Collaborate with workstream leads and co-leads to identify funding opportunities.
• Contribute to concept notes and proposals for Phase II of the program.

Requirements

Education, qualifications, and experience

• PhD in Entomology, Integrated Pest Management, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in RPW and date palm pest management, including in GCC countries.
• Proven leadership in multi-stakeholder, multi-disciplinary projects.
• Strong knowledge of RPW biology, control technologies (pheromones, biocontrol, digital tools).
• Strategic thinking with hands-on problem-solving ability.
• Experience with remote sensing, GIS, and data-driven pest surveillance.
• Ability to work under pressure and in multicultural environments.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills.
• Commitment to scientific excellence and ICARDA’s mission.
• Excellent communication skills in English and Arabic.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising and proposal development.

Benefits

Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits

This is an internationally recruited staff position for which ICARDA offers an attractive compensation package including a competitive salary, medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, five months’ maternity leave, 15 days’ paternity leave. The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 3 years, renewable subject to continued need for the position, availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The first year will be probationary period.

Please be advised that ICARDA accepts applications only in English, as per the organization's standard communication language. Applications in other languages will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.